The Knight
Although the Knight was taken as a religious hero and from the highest class; although he could take advantage of the privileges that a man like him could enjoy; none of those aspects seems to be enough for him. He seems to have an aversion to conflict or unhappiness of any kind; which is predictable through the way he wears: “he was not gaily dressed. He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark with smudges where his armour had left mark.” Even the fact that part of his clothing was dark can reflect how he felt inside, with anger, or just sad.
The Squire
Even though this character rest importance to his role as a candidate to become a knight, he seems to be lifeless. All that matters to him is to enjoy of the pleasures of flesh, to sing, write and read poems in order to capture the love of the ladies; in other words he is a ladies’ man. However, this kind of life that he is living is nonsense; he does not have any purpose for his live; it is meaningless. Therefore, as a stone or as a statue that do not have life; people can assume that his life is empty; he does not have one.
The Yeoman
The yeoman appears to be the same as Robin Hood; he wears the same and with the same colors. Nevertheless, the fact that he wore a Saint Christopher’s medal is that he travels and is not in only one place as happens with our dear thief.
The Prioress
This woman was characterized as a person who is not humble; in fact, she allegedly speaks French (England French), and wears jewelry. Nevertheless, she is a charitable person and tender hearted with pets at least: “she saw a mouse caught in a tramp, if it were dead or bleeding and she had little dogs she would be feeding with roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white bread. And bitterly she wept if one were dead.” Hence, she seems to have feelings and to be friendly too.
The Monk
Although this monk is a hunter and a person who does not respect the rules, he has leadership skills since he dictates his life by ignoring the monastery’s rules. In addition to that, he seems to be the only person who is honest with himself; he does not have the necessity to look like someone he is not. Even the host says about him: “This monk was therefore a good man to horse; greyhounds he had, as swift as birds, to course hunting a hare or riding at a fence was all his fun.” He does not have to hide his personality and his likes to anyone; this makes him an authentic person.
The Friar
Although this character has many weaknesses such as the way he makes couples and the way he manipulates the entire environment near that situation, he denotes through the ballad that he is a virtuous person; he posses humility and courtesy. Therefore he is so likeable among the citizens.
The Merchant
This character gives the impression of being wealthy: “Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat and on his feet daintily buckled boots.” However, the merchant has a secret: he is really in debt. He is a boastful person, who likes to be well treated despite fool people.
The Lawyer
He is a very educated person and knows almost everything. Nonetheless, he has the tendency of humans to pretend; he pretends to be busier than he really is. At the same time, he has misconstructions about his importance and holds a very high opinion about himself: “not one conveyance could be called in question: though there was nowhere ones so busy as he, he was less busy than he seemed to be.”
The Franklin
Even though he has a strong appearance and enjoys of pleasures such as food and sex, he has other good qualities. He is a social person with great values. At the same time that he shows a lot of hospitability since his table is always laid with food and was joined by people.
The Five Tradesmen
Those characters seem to have a very prosperous lifestyle; even their wives look wealthy. At the same time, both husbands and wives seem to be pretentious: “to be called “Madam” is a glorious thought. And so is going to church and being seen having your mantle carried like a queen.” Those people lack of humbleness.
The Cook
This character seems to be not as intelligent as the other characters; his life is based only among food, aromas and recipes. In fact, he is not educated and seems to belong to the lower economical class; the working class.
The Ship’s Captain
Like most drunks, he was an excellent fellow when he was under the influence of alcohol. However, he is the kind of captain who believes that he is a pirate. In a sense, he is lifeless; he does not have a purpose for his life. He has experience since he has traveled a lot but it does not matter to him.
The Doctor
Although he is good at his profession and heals a lot of people, there is a doubt related with his spiritual health. He really cares and is very conscious of his physical health and eats moderately. However, he we are Christians we can say that the ability that this man presents God gives it to him. Nevertheless, he does not read the Bible quite often.
The Wife of Bath
It is true that this woman is promiscuous and was married to five men. However, she has a lot of experience since she has traveled all over the world on pilgrimages. At the same time, she is intelligent rather than intellectual. This fact is proved because she has learned how to provide for herself in a world where women had no independence or power, and she has both. Likewise, she shows no fear in a world ruled by men for men.
The Parson
He is learned but unlike the other characters, posses much more virtue; he is what a true Christian priest has to be. At the same time, the parson is poor; nevertheless, that is not an impediment for him to be rich in holy thoughts and works.
The Plowman
This is another character who is an ideal of a Christian man despite he is a small tenant farmer. Like the character mention before he tries to maintains good values and qualities. At the time that tries to keep up with his responsibilities; for example, he paid his tithes to the church. He is honest with his neighbors and is hard working.
The Miller
He is a hateful character and seems to be powerful; he takes advantage of that situation and intimidates other people. Likewise, he is corrupt, rude, shameless, selfish and easily anger. Nevertheless, he can be viewed as a realistic person because of his personality.
The Manciple
Despite he is unlettered; he has other qualities that makes him unreliable like dishonest, always makes a profit on his purchases. Ironically, Chaucer praises his financial wisdom that enables him to deceive his masters.
The Reeve
This character uses his capabilities to cheat people in business. In addition, he has bad temper; he is suspicious. Also, he does not trust on the others because the way he is and treat the others: “No one had ever caught him in arrears. No bailiff, serf or herdsman dared to kick, he knew their dodges, knew their every trick.”
The Summoner
This person is a little bit controversial since in one hand he seems to be a good fellow; on the other hand, he is an immoral character; he is often paid off by sinners. Even little children were afraid when he appeared.
The Pardoner
This is the most marginalized character. As the pardoner he has to offer indulgences. Nonetheless, he is a highly untrustworthy character because of his hipocresy. Moreover, there is a paradigm with him; it seems that the Pardoner is effeminate, homosexual or an eunuch.
Harry Bailly, the Host
As the owner of the inn where the pilgrims stay, he knows almost everything about everyone there. He has the ability of keep the order during the development of the stories, has leadership skills.
By Alexia Brokke
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